A house that hosts a different family every weekend is legally different from a house that hosts the same family for a year, and almost every rule in this area exists because someone's neighbor noticed the difference. This article explains how short-term rental law actually works: where the authority to regulate comes from, why a permit is only one of five separate approvals a host may need, and how zoning, homeowners association covenants, lease terms, tax collection, and insurance each operate independently. It covers the enforcement mechanisms cities actually use, the platform's role and the limits of its liability, and the liability a host carries for guest injuries and guest conduct. It explains the fair housing and accessibility rules that apply even to a spare bedroom, and the tax provisions that turn on a fourteen-day threshold. Worked examples follow three hosts through a citation, an association fine, and a lawsuit. The article closes with what to verify before listing anything.